CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.—Despite being able to hit the ball well against Austin Peay (11-24), the University of Evansville softball team could not get the runs needed to defeat the Lady Governors Wednesday, as the Aces (10-17) fell 9-8 and 3-1 at Lady Govs Field.
Austin Peay 9, Evansville 8
UE got started on the right foot in the beginning and end of game one, but Austin Peay found a way to prevail in the end to take a 9-8 win.
Senior Jamie Lindauer got things started in the top of the first with a single before stealing second. With junior Jen Stahlhut on base from a hit by pitch, both runners steal their respective bases and Lindauer continued to home on a throwing error from the catcher. Stahlhut found her way around after sophomore Amy Gaertner hit a double.
The Lady Govs quickly reacted as Tiffany Smith walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Brittany Williams earned the team’s first single and proceeded to steal second. A home run over left field from Shine Huwe put the home team on the board 3-2. Austin Peay continued in the third, as Huwe hit another long shot over left center to go up 5-2. With two outs, Amy Mills then hit the Lady Govs’ third home run of the day to lead 6-2.
The Aces put up two runs in the fifth to put the score at 6-4. Freshman Alicia Betancur singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. Junior Kelci Alsip then posted a hit before Lindauer’s double scored Betancur. Stahlhut then hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring in Alsip.
UE started a comeback in the top seventh with Betancur doubling to right center. A Brianna Villanueva single advanced Betancur to third before scoring on a throwing error to get Villanueva out at second. A hit by pitch placed Alsip at first before Lindauer hit a sacrifice fly to score Villanueva. Stahlhut’s hit placed Alsip at third, but Alsip was tagged out by the pitcher on senior Krista Price’s fielder’s choice. Gaertner then powered a hit up the middle to bring in the two runners to lead 8-6.
Austin Peay did not give up in the last inning. Smith got things started by reaching second on a fielding error and advanced to third on a Jessica Chernak single. Williams then posted a hit and scored Smith to be down one run. A walk by Huwe loaded the bases for Newburgh native Caite Cozart to tab a fielder’s choice and tie the score. Junior Maggie Little then threw a wild pitch and Williams put up the winning run.
Junior Maggie Little (0-1) took the loss in her second appearance of the year as she gave up six hits and six runs while walking two and striking out one. Senior Jen McKee got the starting nod and posted four hits, three runs and two strikeouts in three innings of work.
Austin Peay 3, Evansville 1
Austin Peay continued its long ball in the second game, as Williams blasted one past left field in the first inning. The Aces didn’t let the lead stand for long with a run in the second. Gaertner posted a hit and reached third on the next two groundouts. Villanueva then singled to score Gaertner.
The Lady Govs wouldn’t get on the board again until the fifth with Norton hitting a double and advancing to third on a putout. Davenport then hit one up the middle to go up 2-1. Smith then singled before Chernak recorded a hit to score Davenport and increase the lead to 3-1.
Freshman Kendall Kautz (8-6) took the loss after going the complete game with eight hits, six strikeouts and walking one.
The Aces return to action on Thursday, as they host Western Kentucky at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium with a 5 p.m. doubleheader.
